[Arrow1]

My daughter's partner has an issue with the handbrake on his Patrol. Not sure of the model as he's away and out of touch but the photo might help identify it.




The issue is that he pulled on the parking brake and now cannot release it. The handbrake handle will still ratchet up-and-down but with no effect and the vehicle will not move when an attempt is made to drive it ..... there is no doubt as to the effectiveness of the handbrake!!!!

I'm not familiar with this handbrake system and am yet to climb under the vehicle so I was hoping someone here can assist. Is there a way to release the parking brake in these circumstances so that it can be driven to the mechanics?

I have done an extensive search on this forum and have found similar issues with the handbrake to learn that it's a drum arrangement on the rear driveshaft but couldn't find anything identical to this issue. Gunked up and cable failure are possibilities however, not being familiar with a Patrol, I want to be aware of as much as possible before we tackle it.

Has anyone else had this issue and what did you do to solve it?

Any and all suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

Alan.

 

[andrew1964]

I would say that the brake shoes are all gummed up. It can happen when the vehicle is parked up wet and/or muddy and the brake shoes bond to the drum with rust and dry mud.
The handbrake drum is on the rear drive shaft right at the back of the gearbox. I would suggest giving it a few whacks with a mallet, in between attempts to drive off. Also, use both first and reverse alternately to un seize it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Arrow1]

I would say that the brake shoes are all gummed up. It can happen when the vehicle is parked up wet and/or muddy and the brake shoes bond to the drum with rust and dry mud.
The handbrake drum is on the rear drive shaft right at the back of the gearbox. I would suggest giving it a few whacks with a mallet, in between attempts to drive off. Also, use both first and reverse alternately to un seize it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks Andrew,

We'll give that a try when the owner returns. Fingers crossed.

If that's the case as you suggest, how easy is it to get the drum off to give it a clean inside? Bearing in mind we are novices in this area, how is it done?

 

[andrew1964]

Once you’ve got it free, you unbolt the drive shaft from the drum, then pull the drum off to expose the brake shoes.
They can be very hard to get off, especially if it is, or has been, gummed up. You just have to persevere, a mallet is your best friend for this job.
Once you have it off, it’s virtually the same setup as any other drum brake system. Clean it all up and deglaze the shoes, or replace as necessary. Put a bit of copper antiseize on the pivot points before you reassemble.

EDIT: very important - make sure you chock the wheels before attempting any work on the hand brake!!
And, if it won’t budge, make sure the handbrake is off

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[dkril]

Didn't one model have rear axle handbrakes? TB48 with the RE5 iirc?

 

[Arrow1]

Once you’ve got it free, you unbolt the drive shaft from the drum, then pull the drum off to expose the brake shoes.
They can be very hard to get off, especially if it is, or has been, gummed up. You just have to persevere, a mallet is your best friend for this job.
Once you have it off, it’s virtually the same setup as any other drum brake system. Clean it all up and deglaze the shoes, or replace as necessary. Put a bit of copper antiseize on the pivot points before you reassemble.

EDIT: very important - make sure you chock the wheels before attempting any work on the hand brake!!
And, if it won’t budge, make sure the handbrake is off

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks again, Andrew, very helpful.

 

[klappers]

Didn't one model have rear axle handbrakes? TB48 with the RE5 iirc?

Correct, but that's not a TB48

 

[Neardood1]

At a guess the linkages between the cable end and the brake drum could be rusty and jammed with brake dust, mud, ect. You might be lucky and be able to just spray the ones outside the drum with WD40 and free them up with a screwdriver or suitable levering tool.

 

[andrew1964]

If there’s anything sticking at all, it’s well worth stripping the whole lot down and servicing it properly. IMHO.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Arrow1]

OK, an update. Managed to release the handbrake with a bit of judicious back-and-forth rocking in gear as suggested. It now remains free if driving forward but when we left it in a driveway sloping downwards behind us and left the car in neutral, it wouldn't roll. It's as if the handbrake was still applied.
Decided to get it to the mechanics for looking at. Will post the outcome when we find out.

 

[Arrow1]

Well, it was all a bit inconclusive in the end. The mechanic found some crud in the handbrake drum but not an alarming amount. He also found that the ratchet mechanism was somewhat "loose" (his words) and all components were in need of some greasing/lubrication.
It appears to be working fine for the present so fingers crossed ..................................................

 

[Gusthebus]

Currently dealing with a similar issue. My cause for handbrake not completely disengaging is the brake levers going to drum are catching due to rust? Much lubricant applied now getting all replaced.